"I love you."
They are in bed, and Arya can't help but wonder if it's normal for all humans to spend so much time laying there; sleeping, talking, kissing, fucking.
The thought almost distracts her from what she has just heard.
"What?"
"I love you, Arya," Gendry repeats, kissing her neck, "I love you so much…"
Gendry tries to kiss her again but Arya pushes him back.
He loves me, she thinks, Gendry loves me.
How can he?
Arya tries to smile, but she just bites her lip, "Gendry."
After all this lies, he loves you, but he won't love you after he knows, does he?
"Arya, what's wrong?" Gendry tucks a lock of hair behind her ear and Arya takes a deep breath.
I have to tell him, I have to.
But why? Who is going to love a beast? A monster?
So she says it, in a whisper so low she hopes he couldn't hear it.
He will stand, he will curse at you. He will tell you to leave if he doesn't try to kill you first.
Beast. Monster.
But he does, he hears it and he looks at her curiously.
"I am one of them," she had said, her voice thick, trying to stop the tears.
"I know," he answers, kissing her forehead, her cheek, her eyes, "I know and I love you."
Arya smiles as his hands start untying her laces.